Garamendi was joined by representatives from the United Steelworkers and the Alliance for American Manufacturing as they toured the Jelly Belly Candy Company in Fairfield, ergSol Inc., a manufacturer of solar thermal systems, also in Fairfield, and Colavita Olive Oil manufacturing facility that opened in Dixon two weeks ago.

“Manufacturing comes in all shapes and sizes, from advanced technology, to solar panels, to food processing, and all of it is a vital aspect of our economy,” Garamendi said in a press release. “National Manufacturing Day is our annual opportunity to highlight the importance of our manufacturing sector and meet with local manufacturers to devise strategies that can promote a Make It In America Agenda.”

Garamendi learned firsthand about the business from the storage of the varieties of olive oil, to the bottling of the product as he was led on a tour of the bottling facility by Anthony J. Profaci and Paolo Colavita, vice presidents of Colavita.

Garamendi was able to watch as eight employees filled bottled of extra virgin olive oils.

“Our manufacturing sector has seen a resurgence this decade, but there’s more we need to do to keep that going,” he said. “I believe in ensuring that our educational policies, trade policies, energy policies, and communications infrastructure facilitate the growth of our manufacturing sector as part of a comprehensive national strategy.

“Let’s use National Manufacturing Day to shine a light on the benefits of American manufacturing, and inspire the next generation of manufacturers. Doing so will make our community, and our country, even stronger.”